Greece recorded a sharp drop in migrant arrivals over the past year, with numbers falling from 61,112 to 41,998, a decre...

Greece recorded a sharp drop in migrant arrivals over the past year, with numbers falling from 61,112 to 41,998, a decrease of roughly 35%, according to data from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum cited by public broadcaster ERT. The drop did not happen in isolation. Returns also climbed significantly during the first seven months of 2026, rising 20% compared to the same period last year. Forced returns specifically surged by 35% year on year, signaling a more aggressive enforcement posture from Greek authorities. The trend held steady through 2026 as well. Migrant flows in the first seven months of this year were 25% lower than the same stretch in 2025, suggesting the decline is not a seasonal blip but a sustained shift. Even with the broader numbers down, boats continue arriving. On Tuesday, a Frontex aircraft spotted two boats off the southern coast of Crete carrying a total of 84 migrants, 30 in the first vessel and 54 in the second. They were brought to the port of Heraklion for identification and are expected to be transferred to a reception center on the Greek mainland. Greece has faced pressure for years to manage one of Europe's busiest migration entry points. The data suggests current enforcement and return policies are producing measurable results, though arrivals have not stopped. #Greece #Immigration #Frontex